The (Young) Rascals

1944

Felix Cavaliere was born.

1945

Dino Danelli was born.

1946

Gene Cornish was born.

1946

Eddie Brigati was born.

1965

Veterans of such bands as Joe Dee and the Starliters, the Unbeatables and Felix and the Escorts come together as the Rascals. They begin rehearsing in singer Eddie Brigati’s basement in Garfield, New Jersey.

1965

The Rascals perform at the Phone Booth, a club in the “discotheque district” of Manhattan’s East Side. Their high-energy set attracts the attention of record labels, and the group signs with Atlantic Records.

1965

The Rascals’ debut single, “I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore,” is released. It is credited to the Young Rascals, as are all of their records through 1967.

1966

“Good Lovin’,” a spirited remake of a song by the Olympics, becomes the Rascals’ first #1 hit.

1967

“Groovin’” becomes the Rascals’ second chart-topping single. It holds down the top spot for four weeks, finally giving way to Aretha Franklin’s “Respect"—which was also on Atlantic Records.

1968

The Rascals third #1 hit, “People Got to Be Free,” reaches the top of the charts, where it remains for five weeks.

1968

1969

The Rascals release the ambitious ‘Freedom Suite’, comprising a disc of short songs and one of lengthy instrumentals. It joins the Who’s ‘Tommy’, Cream’s ‘Wheels of Fire’ and the Beatles’ White Album as one of a relative few double albums from the Sixties.

1969

“Carry Me Back,” the Rascals’ last single to make the Top Forty, enters the chart.

1970

Eddie Brigati leaves the Rascals.

1971

Gene Cornish leaves the Rascals after the recording of their final Atlantic album, ‘Search and Nearness’. Having signed to Columbia Records, founding members Felix Cavaliere and Dino Danelli expand the Rascals’ lineup and adapt a jazzier approach.

1972

The Rascals disband after their final album, ‘The Island of Real’, peaks at #180.